For many, it’s just a few shopping days left before Christmas. The rush of the crowd, the elusive empty parking spot, the sales not quite as good as Black Friday.

But, for a few, it signifies the end of the world.

Is it the end of the world as we know it (R.E.M. reference) or the end of the world, period? Will we continue on with our lives altered or does Earth just go BOOM and that’s it? The Mayans were a little vague about that part. Maybe they just got bored and stopped making calendars...?

It got me thinking about what “the end of the world” could be. Will there be killer zombies? Killer robots? Killer hamsters? (Anything can be lethal in a post-apocalyptic world.)

With that said, here is some required viewing before we brace ourselves for the unknown. You might actually learn something that could keep you alive.

The Terminator (1984)

A cyborg is sent back in time, by the sinister computer network Skynet, to murder a woman who will one day give birth to the leader of the militia destined to end the coming robo-apocalypse.

What you need to know: Dogs can detect killer cyborgs . Get lots of dogs. And if your mother calls asking where you are, don’t tell her. She’s really a robot.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

An astronaut crew crash lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved.

What you need to know: Be nice to animals. (That includes your fish that you tend to ignore.) You never know when they might be in charge.

The War of the Worlds (1953)

The film adaptation of the H.G.Wells story told on radio of the invasion of Earth by Martians.

What you need to know: People germs kill evil aliens. Don’t take the Sudafed. Your sneezing might wipe out the invaders.

Twelve Monkeys (1995)

In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.

What you need to know: The most dangerous people sometimes can appear to be the most normal. And a post-apocalyptic world could actually be an improvement on the mid 1990s.

The Walking Dead (new episodes return to AMC in February 2013)

Police officer Rick Grimes leads a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies.

What you need to know: At the end of the day, the Centers for Disease Control can’t help you. Don’t go to Atlanta.

Mad Max (1979)

In a dystopic future Australia, a vicious biker gang murder a cop’s family and make his fight with them personal.

What you need to know: When the apocalypse happens, don’t be in Australia. And leather masks are going to be in style. Stock up now.